From mudflats and saltpans to Open Sea: Plastic ingestion and PBDE/MeO-BDE accumulation in Waterbirds from southern Portugal.

Plastic ingestion greatly affects waterbirds, causing lacerations and potentially leading to health disruptions from chemical leaching. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), used as flame retardants in plastics, remain persistent in the environment despite restrictions, along with the less studied methoxylated PBDEs (MeO-BDEs), that may result from their transformation. Since most plastic pollution in the heavily impacted marine environment comes from terrestrial sources, freshwater/estuarine and coastal environments can also be heavily exposed to contamination.

Validation of cervical cancer genetic signature in minimally invasive samples.

Cervical cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in 36 countries, and high-risk human papillomavirus types are responsible for most cases. Identifying strategies to make treatment more targeted and effective has become a priority. This study aims to validate a set of differentially expressed genes previously identified in cervical cancer stem cells as predictive biomarkers for response to chemoradiotherapy using minimally invasive samples.

Left Ventricular Hypertrabeculation: An Unexpected Cause of Stroke?

Stroke in young adults is considered a rare pathology, associated with a significant morbidity and mortality rate. In the etiological study of stroke in young people, it is important to carry out a comprehensive investigation as there is a greater propensity for undetermined causes, compared to the older population. Here, the authors present the clinical case of a 53-year-old male diagnosed with ischemic stroke, in which an extensive evaluation identified left ventricular hypertrabeculation as the presumed etiology of this event.

Mastic Kidney: A Rare Radiological Feature.

This case emphasizes the importance of considering tuberculosis (TB) in the differential diagnosis of complex kidney imaging findings. We report a case of a 43-year-old male patient from India who presented with a five-day history of fever and vomiting. Laboratory results revealed metabolic acidosis, anemia, acute kidney injury, and elevated inflammatory markers.

Respiratory syncytial virus vaccination in older adults and patients with chronic disorders: A position paper from the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology, the Portuguese Association of General and Family Medicine, the Portuguese Society of Cardiology, the Portuguese Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, the Portuguese Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of lower respiratory tract infection, hospitalisation and death in adults.

Methods: Based on evidence regarding the impact of RSV on adult populations at risk for severe infection and the efficacy and safety of RSV vaccines, the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology, the Portuguese Association of General and Family Medicine, the Portuguese Society of Cardiology, the Portuguese Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, the Portuguese Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine endorses this position paper with recommendations to prevent RSV-associated disease and its complications in adults through vaccination.

Conclusion: The RSV vaccine is recommended for people aged ≥50 years with risk factors (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, heart failure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, immunocompromise, frailty, dementia, and residence in a nursing home) and all persons aged ≥60 years.